More news – Page 3189
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CommentWhat are words worth?
You might not expect a member of Russia’s super-rich to speak the same language as a British builder. But when it came to deciding if the oral agreement they had was a binding contract, it was the English court that had the final word
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NewsSMC–Aukett merger in doubt
Merger talks between architects SMC Group and Aukett Fitzroy Robinson could be derailed by SMC’s poor financial results
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NewsZero-carbon homes shock as national grid energy barred
Government says off-site sources ‘not eligible unless directly connected to the development’
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FeaturesSweden's green utopia
This new Stockholm suburb demonstrates how simple, robust, centralised systems can outperform flashy designs bristling with turbines. But can it work as a model for Gordon Brown’s eco-towns?
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Comment
Zero-sum games
You know the government’s got serious on climate change when it instructs cows to eat garlic. It’s also offering lower stamp duty to those who buy more energy-efficient homes. But will the idea work?
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News‘We’ll scrap Hips,’ says Tory shadow housing minister
Home Information Packs are ‘clumsy, ineffective and useless’ Grant Shapps tells Conservatives
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News
Engineer sues NHS trust in PFI dispute
The Whipps Cross NHS Trust in east London has become embroiled in a legal battle after it scrapped a £350m PFI redevelopment two years ago
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News
Erinaceous set for break-up if Tchenguiz bid succeeds
Parts of troubled property consultant likely to be sold off if takeover talks lead to an offe
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CommentHigh standards
Alex Smith welcomes the arrival of the RIBA’s revised Standard Forms of Appointment to its website in a handy PDF format, which will save time, effort and paper
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FeaturesThe invisible client
Repair work for insurers can be a lucrative income stream for small builders. But first, you have to unravel the enigma of who your real client is.
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FeaturesCost model: Student residences
The academic year has started and a fresh intake of students is moving into brand new housing. Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon explores this dynamic and price-conscious market
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Features‘Yeah, near enough’
Councils’ building control departments are facing big changes to the way they do business, with many predicting a wholesale switch to self-certification. But what will be the consequences of that? Thomas Lane took a peek at the future, and it doesn’t look good …
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Contractors’ profits under threat from price slowdown
Report warns of lower construction margins in London as tender price inflation falls in 2008
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News
American architect Perkins + Will opens London bridgehead
US architect Perkins + Will has opened an office in central London as a base from which to expand in the UK and Europe.
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News
PMI index falls
The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply’s index for construction fell to 60.3 in September, down from 64.8 in August.
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News
Carillion sell-off
Carillion has sold Pall Mall Holdings and Sovereign Soft Services, its cleaning and security businesses, to Northern Irish firm Resource in a deal worth £22m.
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News
Housing slowdown
Further signs of a housing market slowdown emerged this week, with Bank of England figures showing new mortgages taken out in August fell 9% year on year.
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News
Keller buys contractor
Engineering group Keller has bought specialist US piling contractor HJ Foundation for an initial sum of £24.5m, with a potentialearn-out based on future profits.
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Features
Alumasc: Ready for a rainy day
The price of raw metal is rocketing, says Geraint Jones of Alumasc. But its aluminium and cast-iron rainwater systems will last you a good 50 years.